CLEVELAND — There are some big changes in store for the 48th installment of the Lumpkin County-White County football rivalry.
No longer will two teams line up and try to smash the ball down each other's throats -- at least not via traditional methods.
Both the Warriors -- under new head coach Tim Cokely -- and the Indians -- under second-year head coach Shane Williamson -- have switched to spread offensive attacks.
One thing remains very much the same in this northeast Georgia border battle, however: each program still wants to smash the other, regardless of the method.
"It's been a rivalry (for me) ever since I was seven years old, just starting football, so it's always good to beat them," White County senior offensive lineman Jon Burkett said of playing Lumpkin.
The Indians are equally enthused at the prospect of beating their longstanding foes for a second straight season.
"It means a lot to me, means a lot to the program," Lumpkin senior quarterback Chandler Woodham said. "It's a big rivalry for me, second up there, so it's a big game for me, big game for the community -- and being the opener...it's going to be a big game, and I'm excited and ready to go. I know everyone is."
With the new dimensions taking root in the Indians' offense, Woodham has plenty to anticipate in his team's season-opener, as he grabs the reins of a more versatile attack hoping to stretch the field.
"I think the fans will see a totally different offense, because we were a triple option team that lined up under center and basically gave it to our fullback every other play, and so what we're trying to do here this year is run what everybody else is doing, getting caught up with the game," said Williamson, who brought in several new coaches this offseason after adapting on the fly in 2016 thanks to accepting the head coaching position in June.
"There's nothing wrong with running the triple option by any means. It's a great offense, but what we're trying to do is establish a more open offense so we can use some of our guys in different positions and make the defense really have to work the entire field and not just play in a phone booth so to speak."
Despite utilizing an entire offseason to enact the changes, Williamson says his team is still getting comfortable with what he hopes is a program-wide shift for an Indians team that has produced just one state playoff appearance since 2004 and is gaining forward momentum after undergoing three head coaching changes in four seasons (2013, '14 and '16).
"It's like a total new coaching staff again, because this year I got to bring in a staff that I put together. We also have a new defense. So again it's like having another brand new coaching staff. And that's what I told the kids. I said, we've got to make sure we don't use that as a crutch again, but we've had a chance to get to know you, from being in a season with you last year, having the offseason, having spring practice, going through the summer, and I'm excited," Williamson said. "I like where we're at. I like the attitude of our kids. That was something big -- after the season last year I realized it's not about Xs and Os with us as it is mental. And that's something we've got to try to change, and I said that starts with us mentally being prepared and ready to go out and compete every game, having confidence that you can win the game."
It was a similar undertaking for Cokely, who inherited a Warriors program coming off a combined 4-16 record over the past two campaigns. And the early returns are promising, as the Warriors dominated Franklin County 33-0 in last week's 2017 opener to equal last season's win total.
"Hustle takes care of a lot of mess. And the Warriors are known for that," Cokley said. "White County hasn't always been on the top in football, but we've always played like Warriors and we've always played hard. And, if our guys do that, good things will happen and good results will come."
The 237 yards rushing produced -- led by running back Kaleb Crane's 126 yards and two scores -- and 48 total yards allowed last week showed that good things are already starting to happen for the Warriors' own version of the spread and more attack-minded defense.
"Our guys played pretty hard. We tackled better, and we blocked better than we did the week before (in a scrimmage) so we played better," Cokely said. "I'm really proud of our team."
Yet Cokely acknowledges that the test gets much harder this week -- both due to the opponent and the nature of the contest.
"Certainly they have the size advantage; they have the speed advantage. They're just a well-rounded team. They can kick it, so we'll have to play our best game to beat them," Cokely said. "I get it that they beat us last year. They've got some talented guys over there. But it's a big game, a rivalry game. And I think my job as a coach is to get our guys to play within themselves and keep their heads."
The Indians are looking for their second straight success in a series largely dominated by the Warriors -- who own a 35-11 advantage (with one tie) when they travel to Cleveland on Friday.
"That's what I told these kids. I said the history says White County's going to win the football game. I said we've got to see what this football team's going to say about that. And it's a huge rivalry game," Williamson said. "Last year we won it on the last play. So it was a big game for us last year, and I'm expecting a big game this year with them having a new coaching staff and getting a big win over Franklin County last week. I know they're going to be fired up and we will be too."
FRIDAY GAME NIGHT of the WEEK:
LUMPKIN COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY
- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
- RADIO: www.wrwh.com/northgasportslink.com
- LUMPKIN (0-0): Indians went 4-6 last season
- WHITE (1-0): Warriors defeated Franklin County 33-0 last week
- SERIES: 48th meeting, White County leads 35-11-1
